I'm walking!

Alex has started walking! He started taking small steps back in December, but he's really taken off this month. This picture was taken January 5th. It's amazing how he just decided one day, "I'm going to start walking." At first, he would crack up that he was actually doing something new. It was too cute. He's really getting adventurous now and trying to walk everywhere. This is such a big milestone and very fun to see. It's great to see him do this before even turning one year old. That's my boy!

Presents! Presents!

Here is an action shot.

Alex's First Christmas

This year, we spent Christmas in Blue Grass, IA with Barb and Jesse. It was so great to get away from the city and have some r&r. Alex had a blast! He loved the dogs and it was so funny to see him chasing them around while they quickly ran away from him. Alex also took to Jesse, his grandpa. It's great to see him bond with his grandpa. Keith and I felt so comfortable, we even snuck out to see "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" while Jesse babysat. Mom and Lizi also visited with us. Although babies this age don't usually care much about presents, Alex had a blast opening them. And man, did he get presents! Don't get too used to it, Alex. You will eventually have to share with your siblings. :) Christmas this year was really special for me and Keith having Alex with us. He is the greatest gift God gave us this year!

It's the Word

We were on our way out the door, when Alex came crawling after me, looked up and extended his arms, and said "mama." I never realized how beautiful those two syllables sound coming out of a baby's mouth and directed at you. This may sound lame, but I'd have to say today was probably in my "top ten days of the year." Being a mom is really THE BEST!!!

The Halloween Turkey

I haven't blogged in a bit, so I wanted to at least post this picture of Keith and Alex on Halloween. He was a turkey as you can see and oh so edible. :) I think we had more fun than he did on Halloween, frankly.

Feliz Cumple Mami!

We took my mom to Buca Di Beppo for dinner tonight for her birthday. We had a great time! My mom is so great. Te quiero, mami.

Alex's Dedication

On Sunday, we dedicated Alex to God at Living Springs Community Church, where we attend. God is such a good God! We are so so blessed and I am so grateful to have the awesome privilege of being a mom. Children are truly a gift from the Lord. I realize that Alex really belongs to God and it is a beautiful thing to acknowledge this in front of our Brothers and Sisters in Christ. I love the story of Hannah and Samuel in the Bible. Hannah was unable to bear children for a long time and after much weeping and much prayer, God hears her cry and blesses her with a son, Samuel. When he is very young, maybe 3 years old, she takes him to the temple and devotes Samuel to God's service. I end with this:
"So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD. And he worshiped the LORD there."